Just the Proposal...

I realize the previous entry, "My Big Fat Filipino Engagement" is super long. But we wanted to make sure we wrote down every special moment so we will always remember them. So for those who would like to read about just the proposal, here you go! (*But for those who want to know about all about the Carabeo-Goodman engagement weekend and have time to read, check out the blog below this one!*)

We arrive in Little Italy. We do a quick walk around the area and then he asks me to pick a restaurant. Magically, I end up choosing a little place called Zia's Bistro. Affordable yet fancy looking. Our waiter reminded me very much of a waiter I had when I was in Rome. Very attentive, acts like he knows you, and finds reasons to touch people- be it on the shoulder or the back. He also looks like he could be Nick's cousin or something. We order our meals, and I ask our waiter to recommend a wine to go with my Lemon Chicken Picatta. He says, "I know exactly which one to bring you!" And he comes back with 2 glasses of red for Nick and myself. I normally don't like to drink, but I decided to treat myself that night. After all, I was on vacation.

The food was great, the music was perfect, and best of all Nick and I are together and just having fun. Soon I get a text from Genesis saying that he and his guy are headed towards the fountain on India street and to meet him there. So Nick and I stroll outside to the fountain that just happens to be next to the restaurant. I immediately start looking around for my friend and some cute boy who I'm guessing will be next to him. We stand around for a bit, and then I get bored and ask Nick if he wants to go sit on the fountain.

At this point, I'm still really not expecting anything to happen. Well, other than Genesis and a cute boy coming to meet us. So in my efforts to quell my boredom, I ask Nick if he wants to throw coins into the fountain and make wishes. He starts fishing around in his pockets and hands me a penny. And in the spirit of all things Italy, I suggest we turn away from the fountain and throw our coins in over our shoulder and make a wish like they do at The Trevi Fountain. So we turn and Nick says, "Did you make your wish? Okay, GO!" We throw our coins in, laugh and turn back to each other. And then Nick says, "Want to make another wish? Okay hold on, I'll let you pick your coin. I have a lot of them." And then he puts his hand out and offers me a handful of coins to pick from. I look down and sitting on top of the coins is a beautiful diamond ring.


At that point, all of the day's events become clear and I start laughing and smiling and crying all at once. Nick takes my hand and gets down on one knee. Somewhere in there I hear Nick say, "Kristine Clarinda Sanson Carabeo, I love you with all my heart...will you marry me?" I yell out, "YES!" And we hug, kiss, laugh. And then I ask, "You've been planning this all day? Did Anabel and Genesis know? Is Genesis even here?!" And Nick confirms that they were all in it, that my parents were in on it, that Genesis was in LA this whole time, and that they have been planning it all for the past month. And then I find out that the night he visited my parents a month ago, he DID in fact ask for their blessing. But my mom put on a good show and pretended that he said nothing and really made me believe that Nick was never going to settle down!